Rare seaweed rediscovered

Abstract

Biologists from the Department of Environment and Conservation recently rediscovered one of the world’s rarest seaweeds, ironically washed up at one of the State’s most popular tourist destinations, Monkey Mia in Shark Bay. The event instigated an in-depth investigation involving taxonomists from around the world using modern forensic techniques. The results led to the recognition of the species as a new genus and finally completed a saga begun more than a century ago.